John Hess (front) often participated in Boise State Public Radio pledge drives.

In a Dec. 8 letter to staff and supporters of Boise State Public Radio, BSPR Executive Director/General Manager John Hess announced his resignation after 10 and-a-half-years with the National Public Radio affiliate. The announcement came hours before the station launched a four-day pledge drive.

"My thoughts are with you as you embark on the winter pledge drive," wrote Hess. "I know that you will make every effort to continue to keep public radio going strong."

BSPR boasts a reach of about 1,000,000 listeners according to BSPR's website, from the Treasure Valley to McCall, Sun Valley and Twin Falls, through 18 transmitters and translators. Programs, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, This American Life and Car Talk, and jazz and classical music can be heard at several frequencies in the Boise metro area, most of southern and central Idaho, parts of eastern Oregon and northern Nevada.